Multiple-surface evaporator.



lLKUEN. MULTIPLE SURFACE EVAPORATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. \4\ 1914. N

Patented Nov. 6, 191x.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Llll 1. KUEN.

MULTIPLE SURFACE EVAPORATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I4. `Ism.

1 ,245,469. Patend Nov. 6, 1917.

l 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lN'vENToR wrrNEsss l XW 30 BY l J. KUEN.

MULTiPLE SURFACE EVAPORATOR, APPucATloN min nec.14.1914.

,245,469 m6111911 Nov. 1m?.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

`WlT'NESSES 1. KUEN. MULTIPLE SURFACE EVAPORATOR.

'INVENTOR Patented Nov. 6, 1917..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 APPLICATION FILED DEC. 14| 1914.

WITNESSES VJ'OSIEGEBI KUEN, QFMELROSE PARK, FENNSYLVAIA.

iVIYULTIPLEfsURrAcn Evaronaron.

`Specification of Letterslatent. Patented NOV, 6, 191 'L Y Application filed December 14,11914.- Sera1No.87'7,260.

To all flrlzom t may concern.'

Be it known that I', JOSEPH KUEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Melrose Park, in the county ofMontgomery and State of itennsylvania, have invented 'certain new and useful Multiple Surface Evaporators, of whichthe following` is a specification. Y

The purpose of my invention is to provide novel pans for condenser or evaporator use as well as convenient and dependable means for connecting the parts whereby assemblage and removal of the individual pans. grids and connected parts are facilitated and the operations shortened.

A further purpose ofmy invention is to makethe bottoms yand sides of the several pans used separable from the grids and from the steam supply and discharge connections for heating ther A further purpose of my invention is to split the inlet steam manifold up into sections, each corresponding to a part of the heatino` system only` preferably'to a single grid and pan, making each ofthe pans and heating connections separable as a unit from adjoining units. i Y

A further purpose of my invention is to utilize the steam inlet and discharge Vconnections as ends for the pans.

A further purpose of my invention is to protect the outlet from each panv against discharge of foam.

A further purpose of some forms of rmy invention is to support the pans wholly or partially from the heating grids.

A lfurther purpose of my invention is to control the inlet of fluid to the first of a series of pans in the same container by the depth of tluid in one of the pans and to determine the rate of flow by regulating the rate of withdrawal of fluid from the container.

Further purposes of my invention will appear in the specification and claims hereof. 1 l

Ivhave preferred to illustrate my invention by several forms thereof which have proved to be practical, efficient and relatively inexpensive and which at the same time well illustrate the principles thereof.

Figure l is a central verticallongitudinal section of one form ,of my invention, through the Shel] or casing showing the parts, chiefly of one of in elevation, but partly broken awayand partly in'section upon'line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

F ig. 2 is an'end elevation of the' structure :seen'in Fig. l, with one of theheads removed and with parts in section on line 2-2of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a partly broken perspective View the pans shown in Figs. Vl and 2. Fig'. 4 is a partly broken top plan view of the pan of Fig. 3; with heating'grid and connections assembledtherein. Fig. 5V is a partly` broken central vertically longitudinal section of a secondy form of my invention. 'y

Fig. 6 is a section of vthestructure shown in Fig. 5, taken upon the lines 6 6.

Fig. 7 is a partly broken perspective View of thetype ofv pan shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. S is a partly broken top plan View of the pan of Fig. 7 with the heating grid and connections inserted therein.v Y' v Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View of a part of the structure seen in Fig. 7.

Fig. l0 is an elevation, partly brokenV away and sectioned, of a modification of thel i first form of my invention.

Similar numerals of. reference indicate like parts in the drawings. l

1While my'invention will for convenience be treated herein as applied to evaporators l and particularly to multiple effect evaporators, it will be obvious that the same features which make the structures shown hiO'hly advantageous asan evaporator will also enhance their utility as a condenser; and that the individual evaporator or con denser units shown are desirable whether used separately or as parts in producing multiple effects.

ln each of my forms l have shown a single cell comprising a casing and a plurality of pans or trays presenting separate evaporating ,or condensing surfaces and superimposed so that, for evaporation, the residuum from one tray may supply the material for evaporation in the next. Each of these cells is capable of separate use or may form but one among a number of cells in a lmultiple effect system.

The cell `iackets or casings l, 1 (Figs. l

and 5) may be of anygdesired shape to accommodate the form of pan or tray desired and are shown as provided with end casings 9., 2, 3, 3 opposite the ends of the pans for convenient access in assemblage of the parts and removal for cleaning and repairs. Both are shown as removable in Fig. 1; Whereas the end 2 is permanently attached in Fig. 5, With a removable hand hole cover 22 therein.

The casings are provided With blow-0E pipes 4, valved at 5. In Fig. 1 the lower part of the casing is connected with a float chamber 6, by means of piping 7 and 8 en tering the casing respectively below and above the intended liquid level 9 of the residuum from the lovvermost evaporating pan. It Will be noted that in this case, as Well as in the form of Fig. 10, this residuum is stored temporarily in the bottom of the casing, Whereas, in the form shown in Fig. 5, the residuumY is temporarily stored in the lorvermost tray or pan and correspondingly connected with a float chamber by pipes 7 ,fnd 8 to maintain the level 9 in said cham- The fluid intended to be evaporated is introduced to the uppermost of the pans 10, 10 through any suitable pipes, 11, 11, valved at 12 and delivering the fluid at any points 13, 13. TheY float 14 moves a rod 15 to increase or decrease the opening of a valve 16 in the pipe 11 or 11, by which the entrance of fluid into the upper pan is controlled by the height of the liquid level 9 or 9, making the entrance of fluid proportionate to the rate of Withdrawal of the residuum from the storage, Whether from the bottom of the tank, (Figs. 1 and 10), or bottom pan (Fig. 5).

The steam supply is admitted at 17 to the manifold 18 and passes through a series of sets 19, 19 of grid passages, here conveniently made up of pipes 20, discharging into the header 21 or 21. The header is vented at 22, 22, through a valve 23, and is connected by pipe 24: to any suitable trap. Separable connections at 25, 25 (Figs. 1 and 5) provide for ready disconnection of the steam inlet. The trap and vent pipes may also be disconnectible as at 26, 26 in Figs. 1 and 5.

Taking up the first form z-The trays 10 are open-ended, as seen best in Fig. 3 and are connected to the steam manifold sections and header at their ends by laterally cX- tended heads 27 and 28. The. connection is made by any suitable means, here shown as bolts 29, operating through ears 30 Von the head and engaging vears 31 upon opposite ends of the trays. The outer contours of the respective heads at these points corre- 'spend With the inner contours of the trays so that the trays are effectively joined to the heads by the bolt and ear construction indicated. The heads form closures for the ends of the trays, thus completing the pans. The heads are provided with Walls 32 of sufficient height to correspond with the required height of sides 33 of the trays, co-

operating with them to prevent discharge of the liquid from the edges of the pans through foaming. It Will be noted that in this form the trays do not form complete pans, as they are Without ends. The. ends of the pans are supplied by the inlet and discharge connections of the grid system.

The manifold at the steam receiving end of the pans, is made up of a series of sections 34, preferably formed integral With the laterally extended parts 27 and capable of assemblage in the manner best seen in Fig. 1,so as to malte a continuous steam manifold when in position. Each manifold section is thus permanently connected to grid, comprising a distributing steam connection, the grid pipes and a discharge connection from the pipes. This construction permits removal of that section of thel manifold which forms the end of any particular pan after removal of the attaching bolts from the ears 36 of the adjoining parts. The removal of a section is much facilitated by separating the adjoining manifold sections from the one to be removed, and moving one adjoining section longitudinally of the manifold, to allowV room for Withdrawal of the section in a direction parallel to the length of the tray (and also of the pan) and grid pipes.

Among many means of longitudinal separation and rfa-assemblage of the parts, which Will occur to the engineer, 1 disclose but one, resting the loWer end of the sectional manifold upon an adjustable support by which the sections which are not bolted fast to the inlet pipe, may be allowed to drop with respect to those Which are so supported from the inlet. The adjustable support shown comprises upper and lower support members 37, 38, joined by right and left threaded coupling 39. The support member 37 carries a plate 37 which closes the loiver section of the manifold. The nut 39 affords positive means for forcing the sections upwardly into firm and effectia-'e contact when ready for re-assemblage.

At the discharge ends of the grids, each head 28 terminates in a single flange. A.l0 about a single opening vvith which all of the pipes are connected. These flanges are secured to flanges 41 upon the discharge header 21. Any desired packing is used to insure a tight joint in all of the steam connections indicated.

lThe laterally extended parts 27 of the manifolds are rigidly joined to the head 2S bythe tubes 20 Which lie in the bottoms of the pans and are intended to be covered by the liquid being evaporated. All of the tubes are thus connected between the inlet and discharge so as to be effective for'heating purposes.

f I shoiv expansion joints 4t2 and 43 in the steam connections at the discharge end, in

Ytions and therefore order to avoid strains due to differences of temperature. Since these expansion Joints are common to the end connections of all of the pans in my structure, no separate ex-k pansion need be provided for in the pans.

I prefer to have the liquid enter each pan near one end thereof, and discharge each of the pans into that next below it, through an outlet ed, whose upper edge l5 is raised to a height above the bottom of the pan to act as a weir and maintain the desired-level of liquid in the pan. To avoid lpassage of foam from one pan to the next, I prot-ect the discharge by a guard, shield, or deflecu tor 46, which in this form surrounds the Weir and prevents direct approach at levels above the weir. The shield is apertured at at? in its lower part, preferably having the upper edge of the aperture below the upper edge 45 of the weir and extends above the aperture and about the weir to a height, as at Li8 here shown as approximately corresponding to the height of the sides 33 and ends of the pan.

rlhe residuum `from the evaporating process will, of course, be less than the'fluid received at 13, 18 by the amount of the evaporation and this reductionr is progressive throughout the pans.

In the form of Fig; 1, I prefer tovhave the flow in adjoining Apans in reverse direcplace their outlet openings at opposite ends. I

In operation, the steam supply y(from the next higher stage or pressure, if used in a multi-stage evaporator) enters through the pipe 17 into the manifold at the left ofF 1, where it is distributed through the grids of the several pans and discharged to the trap and vent. The liquid to be evaporated is received in the top pan and flows over its weir and through itsoutlet into the next pan, proceedingsuccessively in this way until discharged from the final pan into the bot` tom of the container. Meantime, if operating as a multi-stage evaporator, the evaporation from the several pans causes vapor pressure lower than that of the steam supply but high enough to be effective as supply for the next lower evaporator and this vapor is discharged to the next lower stage through pipe e9.

The liquid inthe bottom of the casing may be Withdrawn through bloweoff piped, or from the float chamber or connections or in any other way as desired, preferably at a regular rate. One means of controlling this rate is shown in Fig. 10, Its level regulates the rate of inlet liquid entering the top pan by the float chamber and connections to valve 16. Y

At intervals, the grids and trays may be removed for cleaning. Since the grids need cleaning more frequently than the trays I have made no provision in this form for lateral displacement of the trays to facilitate removal of the trays separately. W'ith the construction in Fig. 1, it is necessary to withdraw the manifold section, and grid with each tray. I' he tray may then be separated from the grid `for greater accessibility in cleaning. Y

In the form shown in Fig.'5, the casing is of different shape and the manifold, heads, trays, header and connections of these parts differ from those of Fig. 1.V The trays here have ends and constitute pans. vThe pipe 7 connects with the lower-most pan, instead of the bottom of the casing and the vent and trap pipes for the header pass through the end 2 in a direction substantially parallel with the length of the 'grids so as to allow for expansion. Stuffing boxes 50, 51, 52 prevent leakage where these pipes pass through the easing.

rlhe manifold 18 and header 21 are both continuous throughout their lengths and are provided with single openings and flanges at about the openings for receipt of the tubular ends 54, 55 of heads 56 and 57 through .which the steam is distributed to and received from the pipes of the grids. The tubular ends are flanged at 58 and 59 and the flanges of the grid heads are secured to the manifold and header by bolts 60.

The head 56 is high enough close to the manifold to clear the end 61 of the pan and is bent downwardly a short distance inside the pan, as at 62 so that the grid will lie close to the bottom of the pan without requiring bending ofthe individual pipes. The point 62 is so chosen as to provide for some movement of the grid pipes and head 56 from and toward the end 61 of the pan to permit insertion and withdrawal ofthe tubular end 55 of the head 57. This end is extended about a portionvof its circumference as shown at 63, to carr f the steam and gases from each grid beyond the drainage of condensation from that or those grids located above it; and also to lform a projection which, as the tubular end moves to the right in Fig. S, guides the end 55 and also centers it and the head 57.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the trays or pans 10 are supported by brackets 64, 6s?, 642, 643, independently of the heating grids and heads, though the single tubular discharge end 55 of V support the pan at one end by its passage through the opening 65 in the pan and its sealing engagement with the metal about this opening at 66. The Vbolts 60 pass through holes 67 in the pan at the header end.

lfhen the bolts 60 at this end are tightened the flange of the head 57 is held tightly against'the end ofthe tray or pan and the latter is pressed against the flange of the discharge header at 68 to seal the entire oint.

It will be seen that each yof the trays or each grid would tend to pans in this form is separately supported and the grid maybe withdrawn from it while the tray or pan is in place, by removing the bolts 60 at the manifold, removing the manifold, withdrawing the bolts GO at the header end and pulling the grid to the lett until the tubular end 55 of the head 5'? is substantially free, then raising the grid sufficiently for the lower part of the head 5G to clear the end of the pan and continuing the Withdrawal movement. The pan may then be removed.

rlhe distributing passage 69, by which the steam is distributed in head 56 to the different grid pipes, is shown as largely within the downwardly extending portion of the head. rhe pipes 2O may be cast or otherwise secured in the head 5G.

As will be evident, each pan can be removed longitudinally with its grid, it' desired, when the manifold 18 has been moved out of the way and the bolts have been withdrawn 'from head 57.

The right hand ends of the pans in F ig. are shown as having depressed bottoms TO for the purpose of accommodating the flanges 59, without raising the grid pipes` excessively in the pans. lt is desirable to have the grid pipes barely covered with liquid and for some purposes it is also quite desirable to have the total depth of' liquid low.

The pans are shown as provided with relatively low outer sides 7l, end 61 and partial ends 72 of a height but slightly in excess of the height of liquid which is intended to be maintained. They have inner guards, shields or defiectors 73 about both sides and one end as at 74 high enough to retain the foam in the pans. rlhe deflector for the left hand ends, in Figs. 5 and 8 is provided by a plate T5 which may be secured to the head 5G in any suitable manner. I have preferred to show it as cletachably connecte-d therewith and have secured it by bolts 76 passing through ears 77 integral with the grid head. vWhen made detachable, it may be removed when the grid pipes are to he withdrawn from the pan, allowing it to come nearer the end of the pan than would otherwise be possible without interference with the end of the pan when the grid pipes are removed.

The deflectors 'T3 extend into engagement with the end Gl, shutting off liquid fiow laterally past the deectors at this point. ln view of this plate need not engage with the bottom of the pan at any point. The spaces between the sides of the pan and the side deflectors, and also between the partial ends T2 and the right hand end deflector provide channels communicating with the body of the pan below the foam line through apertures 78. rThese channels 79 terminateI in end walls 79 and permit discharge of liquid from the pans through discharge openings S0 and gutters 8l after the level has risen over that of the weir 82. The discharge is directed into the body of the next pan by the gutter and is delivered, in this form, preferably at the same end of the pan as that at which the inlet liquid was received.

In operation, the supply pipe 11 into the first pan and the liquid therefrom flows through it length wise out through the apertures 78, channels 79, outlet opening 8O and gutters 8l into the second pan, and thence progressively into the last pan, from which it may be withdrawn to storage or through any suitable waste-way connected with pipe 7 or the float chamber.

The blow-off 4 here affords drainagefor condensate and for water used in flooding for-general cleansing purposes. in the latter use the float is disconnected to allow a large quantity of water to pass through.

There used as one of a series of cells, the steam enters through the pipe 17 from the next higher pressure. and discharges through the vent and trap at the discharge end of the pans. The evaporation from the pans may be carried to a lower of pipe 49.

The pans shown in Figr are substantially identical but differ slightly in width. 0n account of the narrowing space 'for the top of the upper paml have shown its bottom as flanged at 83 to give the additional width desirable for reliable support upon the brackets. The lowermost pan has no channels, discharge nor gutters for drainage.

The form shown in Fig. l0 represents a. modification of the structure shown in Fig. 1 in that the liquid residuum in the bottom of the tank does not extend across the width of the tank and loading of the blow-'off `is shown.

Here the cell l is supplied with a longitu` dinal partition Sile in the bottom upon one side of which, at 85, the residuum is stored. T he tank is connected with a lio-at chamber 6, both beneath and 'free from the water level by pipes 7 and 8 for the same purpose as in Fig. l of regulating fluid inlet to the upper pan by the height of the liquid level. A gage glass 86 is connected with the tank outside of the storage chamber at the bottom and at its top in order to indicate accumulation of liquid there and with the air space of the tank to indicate the water height.

@utlet of the stored liquid is provided through aperture 87 and the extent of opening of this aperture may be manually regulated by slide 88, adjusted by nut S9 upon bracket 9() outside the casing. This makes the rate of flow of liquid regulable with great exactness, whereas the regulation permissibly by valve 5 in the structure of Figs. l and 5 is obviously rather rough,

ln order to retain additional control over pressure cell by meansk the fluid yis admitted through the blowb' and make its action automatic1 I haveshown globe-valve 92, whose closure is weighted by lever` 93 pivoted in ,bracket 911. This is intended primarily for use wherethe cell is one of several used in multiple effect evaporation.

It will be evident that the yvarious features of my invention shown in the different forms thereof, are illustrative merely of the many forms in which these features might bc presented and that the individual parts of my invention have utility and advantage independently and in other combinations, as well as in combination with the others shown.

It will be evident that the character of the sectioned manifold, where sectioning is ap` plied, pans, connections and adjustment used in F ig. l, may be varied greatly, without de parting from the spirit and scope of my inl vention; that the manifold'sections need not be utilized as closures of the ends of the pans, this being a matter of additional convenience and economy aimed at in the best constructions of my invention; that the protections against foaming, particularly at the discharge point may be varied greatly in position and character; and that the various features by which `the expense and time of manufacture and assemblage are saved may be greatly varied by engineers, in view of the instruction given by me herein. It will be evident that the connection, arrangement and construction of the manifolds, grid pipes, heads and pans, in the form shown in Fig. 5, may also be greatly varied by engineers, in view of the disclosure made by me herein and without departing from .the spirit and scope of my invention; that sepa` rability of the grids and trays or pans may be secured by other constructions; that the path of flow of the discharge fluid in the pans may be changed; that different temperature accommodation may be used with partial benefit and that the storage may be separated from the lower pan without being against the casing of the cell.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is rl. In a device of the character stated, a casing, a sectional steam manifold, a discharge header, a plurality of trays and a steam grid for each tray, the grids being separably connected to the header and one connected to each section of the manifold.

2. In a device of the character stated, a sectional steam manifold and a discharge header in combination with steam grids and trays, one grid for each tray, each grid being connected with one of the sections of the manifold and separably connected with the header.

3. In a device of the character stated, a casing, a sectional steam manifold and a discharge header in combination with steam grids and trays, one grid for cach tray, each grid being connected with one of the sections of the manifold and separably connected with the header, and the trays being separably connected with the grids.

4i. In device of the character stated, a steam manifold, -a discharge header, a plurality of grids connected between the manifold and the header and a tray adapted to be separably connected about each grid.

5. In a device of the character stated, a casing,a sectional inlet manifold, a plurality of grids, one connected with each section, a plurality of trays, one about the pipes of each grid, a discharge header separably connected with the grids, means for connecting the sections of the manifold and an adjustable support for the manifold sections.

6. In a device of the character' stated, a casing, a plurality of units, each comprising a .section of inlet manifold, a grid anda tray about the grid, a. steam discharge connection for the grids, a steam inlet connection for the first manifold section and an adjustable support for the last unit. y

7. In a device of tne character stated, a casing, a. steam inlet manifold therefor, a plurality of grids and trays tiereabout connected with the manifold, a steam discharge connection for the grids passingtl rough the casing and an expansion joint forY the discharOe connection expansible in the direction of the length of the grids.

S. In a de icc ofthe character stated, a steam inlet manifold having` lateral eXtension, a plurality of pipes secured therein and an outlet head f-or said pipes forming a grid, a discharge header for said outlet and an open-ended tray removably secured about said pipes and closed at itsends by the lateral extension of the manifold and the outlet head.

9. In a device of the character stated, an open-ended tray and a steam grid fitting within the tray and closing its ends to form a pan.

10. In a device of the character stated, a steam grid, a tray fitting about the grid and transversely movable with respect thereto in combination with means directed transversely of the grid for removably securing the tray about the grid.

ll. In a device of the character stated and as an article of manufacture, a section of steam manifold, a grid connected therewith, a discharge steam terminal at the opposite end from the manifold and a tray removably mounted about the grid.

12. In a device of the character stated and as an article of manufacture, a section of steam manifold, a grid connected therewith forming pan ends, a discharge steam terminal for said grid, an openended tray about contact With the ends in a said grid and means for forcing the tray into direction per pendicular to the length olf the tray.

13. in a device of the character stated, a pan having an outlet Whose upper edge is raised above the bottom of the pan to maintain fluid level therein, in combination ivith a foam deflector protecting the outlet -from direct flovv over its upper edge and apertured in` its lower part to admit fluid to said outlet.

14.111 a device of the character stated and as an article of manufacture, an openended tray, having sides and a discharge opening 'whose upper edges are raised above the bottom of the tray, but lie beloivfthe upper edges of the sides.

15. In a device ot the character stated, and as an article ot-manul'acture, an openended tray, having sides and a discharge opening whose upper edges are raised above the bottom of the tray, but lie belovv the l upper edges ot the sides in combinationwvitl'i a foam defiector protecting against direct flow from the body of the tray over the top of the discharge opening.

16. In a device of the character stated, inlet and outlet steam connections, a steam grid comprising pipes and ends, connected therewith and the said ends being adapted to form pan ends, in combination with an open-ended trayl adapted to lit about the grid pipes and be closed by the grid ends to form a pan.

17. In a device of the character stated, a steam grid in combination with a tray inclosing a part of the grid removable there from and supported by the grid.

18. In a device of the character stated,

Copies of this patent may be obtanedfor a. casing, a steam manifold, a discharge header, a plurality of grids-connected with the manifold and separately conected with the header and a plurality of trays, one connected to each grid at the header end thereof.

19. In a device of the character stated, a steam manifold, a discharge header, a plurality of grids between the manifold and header removably connected With the header and a plurality of trays litting about the grids and closed at the ends by the ends of the grids. l

Q0. In a device of the character stated, a plurality ot trays, heating grids and connections for the trays, a float chamber connected to maintain a predetermined liquid level, float in said tloat chamber, an inlet or'the irstpan, a valve in said inlet and a connection between the l'loat and valve to regulate the liquid inlet by the height of liquid in the float chamber.

21. In a device of the character stated, a tra-y, in combination with a steam grid adapted to enter the tray and cooperating with the tray to form a pan therewith.

22. ln a device of the character stated, a plurality of pans, arranged one above another andhavingV outlets from each pan'to theneXt -beloiv near.. the ends ol' the pans andl nearopposite ends in the case ot adjoining pans, in combination with rloam deilectors, one for each outlet, protecting each outlet from direct (low over Vits upper edge and apertured at its loiver part to admit JOSEP-H KUEN.

vfluid to said outlet.

- Test:

FELIX R. SULLIVAN, RAYMOND H. PREM.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

